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Abstract:

An exercise apparatus having a support frame, a crank assembly, elongated
footpads mounted pivotally to allow a user to engage in exercise without
using the upper body, and an integral video game system, wherein the
integral video game system is controlled or assisted in its operation
through sensors located at various positions in said exercise apparatus.

Claims:

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:a support frame comprising a base
support having opposite front and rear portions, and a front support
extending upwardly from said front portion;a crank assembly comprising a
crankshaft, a resistance mechanism, and a pair of crank members mounted
respectively on two opposite ends of said crank shaft;two actuator arms,
each of which comprises a rocking arm connected pivotally to said front
support extending upwardly from said front portion, and a longitudinal
connecting unit connected pivotally to a respective one of the crank
members and connected pivotally to said rocking arm;two pedal units, each
of which comprises a footpad mounted pivotally to said longitudinal
connecting unit, a frame surrounding said footpad, and a pin securing
said foot pad to said frame and said longitudinal connecting unit;a
console;an integral video game system; andone or more sensors.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more rigid
arm supports.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the console comprises at
least one or more of a monitor, speakers, memory device, computer, input
device, and output device.

4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors are
incorporated within at least one or more of the console, the one or more
rigid arm supports and the pedal units and are coupled to said console
providing at least an input signal to said console.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more sensors
comprise at least a heart rate monitor.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the integral video game
system is housed within said console.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the integral video game
system is exterior to said console and coupled to said console by means
of at least one or more of infrared, Bluetooth, wire, wireless, and a
network.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one or
more of video game software, video game cartridge, video game hardware
and one or more video games.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more input
devices, wherein said one or more input devices are coupled to said
integral video game system by at least one or more of infrared, wire,
wireless, Bluetooth, and other signal emitting device and comprise at
least one or more of a game pad, joystick, touchpad and keyboard.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensors
provide input signals to said integral video game system, wherein the
input signals control the rate at which the one or more video games is
utilized by a user.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more sensors
and the one or more input devices are coupled and provide input signals
to said integral video game system, wherein the one or more sensors and
the one or more input devices control the one or more video games.

12. The exercise apparatus of Clam 11, further comprising one or more of
removable and non-removable storage media.

13. A system for providing an interactive workout experience to a user,
comprising:an exercise apparatus that provides physical conditioning to a
user;an integral video game system that presents a video game to a user;
andone or more sensors that output signals to said integral video game
system, wherein the one or more sensors are coupled at least to one or
more of one or more rigid arm supports and one or more foot pedal units
and to said integral video game system, wherein the one or more sensors
comprise at least a heart rate monitor.

14. An exercise apparatus, comprising:a means for providing physical
conditioning to a user;a means for providing an integral video game
system;a means for providing one or more sensors, wherein said one or
more sensors are coupled to said integral video game system and comprise
at least a heart rate monitor.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a means for
providing input signals from the one or more sensors to said integral
video game system.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a means for
incorporating the one or more sensors within at least one or more of one
or more rigid arm supports and one or more foot pedal units.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more input
signals at least one or more of control and alter said integral video
game system according to at least the one or more input signals received.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a means for
restricting the upper body movement of a user.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a means for
providing at least one or more of video game software and hardware.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a means for
providing one or more pivotally mounted foot pedal units.

Description:

[0003]The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise
equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to exercise
devices that provide a full lower body workout and a customized video
game experience during an exercise session.

[0004]2. Background

[0005]The benefits of regular exercise are well known and recently there
has been development in exercise products which are resistive in nature
and designed to improve one's cardiopulmonary endurance. For example,
various forms of exercise equipment are known, including stationary
bicycles, stair climber type trainers, elliptical trainers, and the like.
Some of these devices provide complicated motions that allow for the
movement of foot pedals in a generally elliptical curved path and attempt
to mimic walking or jogging. However, these devices fail to provide a
full lower body workout and an integral video game system during a user
workout session.

[0006]For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,894 to Eschenbach describes an
exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging wherein foot pedals
are attached to foot support links. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,656
to Liao et al. describes two pedal assemblies that are fixed on a pedal
axle. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,005 to Carlsen et al. describes
pedals that are included on pedal arms. These apparatuses have pedal
assemblies which are fixated to a support thereby limiting the motion of
the ankle and other portions of the lower body. These designs fail to
provide a foot pedal mounted pivotally, allowing a user to achieve a full
lower body workout, and an integral video system which provides video
game capabilities to a user during a workout session, wherein the
integral video game system provides a video game experience customized to
the user's workout session.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in
order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention.
This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Its sole
purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form
as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0008]According to an aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus
comprises a support frame, a crank assembly, rigid arm support, two
actuator units, and two pedal units. The support frame includes a base
support with opposite front and rear portions and a front support
extending upwardly from the front portion of the base support. The crank
assembly has a crankshaft mounted rotatably on the rear portion of the
support frame essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion of
the base support, a resistance mechanism and a pair of crank members
mounted respectively on two opposite ends of the crankshaft. The rigid
arm support is mounted on the front support extending upwardly from the
front portion of the base support. Each actuator unit includes a rocking
arm connected pivotally to the front support extending upwardly from the
front portion of the base support and a longitudinal connecting unit
connected pivotally to a respective one of the crank members and
connected pivotally to the rocking arm. Each of the pedal units includes
a frame, a pin, harness and a foot pedal connected to the longitudinal
connecting unit. In an aspect, the foot pedals are elongated and provide
a surface area suitable for an individual to step on. The foot pedal and
harness are mounted pivotally to the longitudinal connecting unit.

[0009]The crank assembly can be operatively connected to a resistance
device by a belt or other suitable means. These other suitable means
include, but are not limited to, a chain or use of a direct-drive. In
addition, although the crank assembly and actuator units have been
described as being mounted at specific points on the base support and
front support extending upwardly from said base support, other
embodiments are envisioned, including, but not limited to, the crank
assembly being mounted on the front portion of the support frame, or at
any other suitable position on the support frame with the actuator units
connected thereto, providing a motion similar to that of walking, jogging
or running.

[0010]In an aspect, the exercise apparatus can be utilized in both a
forward and reverse motion. By providing pivotally mounted foot pedals
and allowing use of both a forward and reverse motion, a user has ability
to strengthen various lower body muscles that current devices do not
provide for, such as improving strength and flexibility of the user's
ankles, shins, and calves. In an aspect, the present invention thereby
creates a motion more similar to walking and jogging than previously
known devices.

[0011]According to another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus
comprises a support frame, a crank assembly, rigid arm support, two
actuator units, two pedals units, and a console. The support frame
includes a base support with opposite front and rear portions and a front
support extending upwardly from the front portion of the base support.
The crank assembly has a crankshaft mounted rotatably on the rear portion
of the support frame essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal
portion of the base support, a resistance mechanism and a pair of crank
members mounted respectively on two opposite ends of the crankshaft. The
rigid arm support is mounted on the front support extending upwardly from
the front portion of the base support. Each actuator unit includes a
rocking arm connected pivotally to the front support extending upwardly
from the front portion of the base support and a longitudinal connecting
unit connected pivotally to a respective one of the crank members and
connected pivotally to the rocking arm. Each of the pedal units includes
a frame, a pin, harness and a foot pad connected to the longitudinal
connecting unit. The foot pedal is mounted pivotally to the longitudinal
connecting unit. The console is mounted at or near the top of the front
support extending upwardly from the front portion of the base support.

[0012]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a set of rigid
arm supports are mounted on opposite sides of the lower portion of the
front face of the console. The rigid arm supports mounted on opposite
sides of the lower portion of the front face of the console can be
provided in conjunction with, or alternatively to, the first set of rigid
arm support mounted on the front support extending upwardly from the
front portion of the base support. In addition, although the rigid arm
supports have been described as mounted on the front support extending
upwardly from the front portion of the base support and on opposite sides
of the lower portion of the front face of the console, other embodiments
are envisioned. For example, in an aspect, the exercise apparatus can
include one or more, or no rigid arm supports. In addition, in accordance
with another aspect, one or more rigid arm supports can be mounted on
opposite sides of the upper portion of the front face of the console, or
mounted to the back of the console, extending over the front face of the
console.

[0013]In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the rocking arm
connected pivotally to the front support extending upwardly from the
front portion of the base support can alternatively be mounted pivotally
to the rigid arm support mounted on the front support extending upwardly
from the front portion of the base support.

[0014]According to yet another aspect of the invention, the console
mounted at or near the top of the front support extending upwardly from
the front portion of the base support comprises at least one or more of
one or more monitors, one or more speakers, one or more game pads, one or
more input and output devices, or other types of control units. The
monitor can be visualized by a user from the front face of the console.
The monitor can be any type of monitor unit, including, but not limited
to, a Cathode Ray Tube, a television unit, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
unit, plasma unit, flat panel unit, rear projection unit, microdisplay
unit or any other similar useful device. The speakers comprise any one or
more of the following type of audio unit including, but not limited to, a
dynamic enclosure unit, an electrostatic speaker, horn-type,
planar-magnetic speaker, coaxial speaker, horns, midbases, one or more
subwoofers or any other device. The game pad comprises a pad mounted on
the console, a pad wirelessly connected thereto, a pad connected to said
console via one or more input ports, or any other device or apparatus
that provides for controlling the functions of a game system or other
device. Each of these devices, in an aspect, is coupled to at least one
or more of the other devices, providing input and/or output signals
thereto.

[0015]In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the console
comprises an integral video game system. The integral video game system
comprises at least one or more of one or more video game systems, video
game software or hardware, one or more displays, one or more sound
devices, and one or more controller(s). The video game software or
hardware comprises one or more of a game cartridge, CD, or any other type
of video game memory device which can be utilized to provide a game
experience. The sound device comprises any device that produces sound
waves, including, but not limited to, software or hardware units. The
controller comprises one or more buttons or other devices mounted on the
console providing use of and interaction with the game software or
hardware.

[0016]In accordance with alternative aspects of the invention, the one or
more controllers comprise a game pad mounted on the console or connected
thereto via wire, wireless or other method. In an aspect, the one or more
controllers can be positioned at or near the one or more rigid arm
supports, or mounted thereon to provide a more convenient gaming and
workout experience. In accordance with another aspect, the one or more
controllers can be attached to an interlocking mechanism located on a
support mounted at or near the top of the front support extending
upwardly from the front portion of the base support, or to the one or
more rigid arm supports. Said interlocking mechanism allows for the user
to attach the one or more controllers to the workout apparatus.
Alternatively, the one or more controllers can be disengaged from said
interlocking mechanism, allowing for the user to utilize the one more
controllers via wire, wirelessly, or other method during use. Each of
these devices, in an aspect, is connected to at least one or more of the
other devices providing input and/or output signals thereto.

[0017]In yet another aspect of the invention, the exercise apparatus
comprises one or more sensors or monitors coupled or mounted to at least
the integral video game system and to one or more of the one or more foot
pedal units, the one or more rigid arm supports, or any other portion of
the apparatus. In an example, one or more sensors can be coupled to the
rigid arm support and comprises a heart rate monitor. Alternatively, one
or more sensors can be coupled to the foot pedals, monitoring the rate at
which the user is utilizing the exercise apparatus. In an aspect, the one
or more sensors coupled to either, or both, the foot pedals or rigid arm
supports are coupled to the integral video game system. For example, the
one or more sensors are coupled to the hardware or software of the
integral video game unit. The pace or rate at which the video game being
utilized on the integral video game system can be changed or controlled
based on the input received from said one or more sensors. Therefore, the
invention provides for adapting an integral video game system, and the
game, software or hardware being utilized thereon, according to the pace
of the workout of the individual making use of the exercise apparatus. It
is to be understood that all of the devices, apparatuses, controllers,
monitors, and sensors and there equivalents comprise input and output
capabilities, utilizing input and output ports or equivalents thereof.

[0018]One aspect of the present invention provides one or more pivotally
mounted foot pedal units that provide a user with a full lower body
workout, while limiting the engagement of the upper body during said
workout. In an aspect, the one or more foot pedal units can be mounted on
either the interior or exterior side of said longitudinal connecting
unit.

[0019]Another aspect of the present invention provides one or more, or no
rigid arm supports to the user. In an aspect, where no rigid arm supports
are provided to a user, the user is required to utilize only lower body
muscles during the workout session, thereby producing a full, more
precise, lower body workout.

[0020]Furthermore, an additional aspect of the present invention is to
tailor the workout experience to a particular user workout session,
through one or more integral video game systems. Another aspect of the
present invention provides one or more sensors or monitors coupled to
said integral video game system and to one or more sections of the
workout apparatus, wherein the information obtained, the input, from said
one or more sensors or monitors adapts the integral video game system,
and the game being played thereon, according to the input received.

[0021]It is to be understood that the integral video game system comprises
any and all devices necessary to provide a user with a video game
experience. In an aspect, when video game software or hardware is
activated and coupled to a monitor and speakers, it conveys the necessary
data to a user to provide a video game experience. The user can input
signals to said video game hardware and/or software via a controller or
other device, providing an interactive experience with said video game.
The visual and audible signals and input/output signals sent between the
user and the video game hardware and software enable the gaming
experience.

[0022]In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an exemplary
environment for implementing various aspects of the invention includes a
computer or integral gaming device, both hereinafter referred to as
computer. The computer includes a processing unit, a system memory, and a
system bus. The system bus couples system components including, but not
limited to, the system memory to the processing unit. The processing unit
can be any of various available processors. Dual microprocessors and
other multiprocessor architectures also can be employed as the processing
unit.

[0024]The system memory includes volatile memory and nonvolatile memory.
The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to
transfer information between elements within the computer, such as during
start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and
not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM),
programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),
electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory
includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.
By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms
such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM),
Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).

[0025]The computer also includes removable/non-removable,
volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. For example, disk storage
units can be provided. The disk storage units include, but are not
limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape
drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, game
cartridges, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage can include
storage media separately or in combination with other storage media
including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact
disk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable
drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To
facilitate connection of the disk storage devices to the system bus, a
removable or non-removable interface is typically used. In an aspect, the
integral video game system provides the user with the ability to store
game progress on one or more of the above mentioned storage devices and
to utilize game progress at a later date, or workout session.

[0026]It is to be appreciated that software acts as an intermediary
between users and the basic computer resources described in a suitable
operating environment. Such software includes an operating system. The
operating system, which can be stored on the disk storage, can act as a
control and allocate resources of the computer system. System
applications take advantage of the management of resources by the
operating system through program modules and program data stored either
in system memory or on disk storage. It is to be appreciated that the
subject invention can be implemented with various operating systems or
combinations of operating systems and applications.

[0027]In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a user enters
commands or information into the computer through one or more input
device(s). The input devices include, but are not limited to, a pointing
device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard,
microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card,
digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, sensor, monitor, and
the like. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit
through the system bus via interface port(s). Interface port(s) include,
for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a universal
serial bus (USB). Output device(s) use some of the same type of ports as
input device(s). Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide
input to computer and to output information from computer to an output
device. An output adapter can be provided to adapt some output devices
like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other output devices, which
require special adapters. The output adapters include, by way of
illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a
means of connection between the output device and the system bus. It
should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices provide both
input and output capabilities such as remote computer(s).

[0028]In an aspect, the computer can operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers. The remote
computer(s) can be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC,
a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, a peer device, another
integral video game system, or other common network node and the like,
and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to
computer. Remote computer(s) is logically connected to computer through a
network interface and then physically connected via communication
connection. Network interface encompasses wire and/or wireless
communication networks such as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area
networks (WAN). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface
(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ring
and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,
point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like Integrated Services
Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching
networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

[0029]Communication connection(s) refers to the hardware/software employed
to connect the network interface to the bus. While communication
connection can be inside computer, it can also be external to the
computer. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network
interface includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and external
technologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,
cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

[0030]In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by
the above described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like,
the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such
components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any
component which performs the specified function of the described
component (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurally
equivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function in the
herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the invention. In this regard, it
will also be recognized that the invention includes a system for
performing the acts and/or events of the various methods of the
invention.

[0031]Other aspects, advantages, and certain illustrative aspects and
novel features of the invention are described herein in connection with
the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, and in
part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of
the following, or can be learned by practice of the invention. These
aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in
which the principles of the invention can be employed and the subject
invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.
Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description of the invention when considered
in conjunction with the drawings.

[0032]In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have
been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other
implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
"includes," and "including" and variants thereof are used in either the
detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be
inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising."

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an elliptical stepper
apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

[0034]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the elliptical stepper apparatus
in accordance with an additional aspect of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the console element of the
elliptical stepper apparatus in accordance with an additional aspect of
the invention.

[0036]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the console element of the
elliptical stepper apparatus in accordance with an additional aspect of
the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037]The forgoing as well as other aspects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed description
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and other
material, wherein like reference characters designate like parts
throughout the several views. In the following description, for purposes
of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the subject invention. It may be
evident, however, that the invention can be practiced without these
specific details. It should also be appreciated that although specific
examples presented may describe or depict certain aspects of the subject
invention, the invention is not limited to those aspects. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the disclosed
invention can be used for other purposes and in other manners other than
those described.

[0038]As used herein, the appended claims and other related documents, the
singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include the plural. Reference to a
particular numerical value includes at least that particular value.
Ranges may be expressed herein as "from," "about," "near," or
"approximately" to another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, other embodiments include from the one particular value and/or
to the other particular value. Similarly, values that are expressed as
approximations, by use of the other antecedent "about," "approximately"
or "near" will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment and the variations thereof form additional embodiments.

[0039]As used herein, the terms "connect," "connected," "mount,"
"mounted," "attach," "attached," "secure," and "secured" are intended to
refer to their generally known meaning. However, these terms are not
limited to such construction. In addition, said terms shall also
comprise, but are not limited to, any various combinations of links or
other connectors, which can include any suitable alternative, be it
rolling, sliding, a pivoting rocker, screw, bolt, nut, cap, glue, solder,
weld, wire, conductor, or so on, as the principles of the present
invention apply.

[0040]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment in accordance with an aspect
of the invention. The elliptical stepper apparatus 10 is shown to
comprise a support frame 40, a crank assembly 34, one or more rigid arm
supports 60, two actuator units 30, two pedal units 20, and a console 50.

[0041]The support frame 40 is intended to rest on a floor or other support
surface and can be mounted to said surface. The support frame 40
comprises a base support with a front portion 41 and a rear portion 42
opposite one another. Additionally, the support frame 40 comprises a
front support 43 extending upwardly from the front portion 41 of the
support frame 40. In an alternative aspect, the support frame 40, and
exercise apparatus described herein, can be designed to be folded into a
compact profile that can be stored or moved more efficiently.

[0042]In an aspect, the front portion 41 and rear portion 42 of the
support frame 40 may include one or more feet, braces or support members
to provide stability and rigidness of the elliptical stepper 10. The
support frame 40 can be made of any material that provides adequate
strength and resistance to wear. In addition, the support frame 40 can be
enclosed within a casing to provide esthetic elements. Said casing, not
numbered, can comprise of any material that provides a resistant,
esthetically pleasing look to the exterior of said elliptical stepper 10.

[0043]The crank assembly 34 is mounted on or near the rear portion 42 of
the support frame 40 and has a crankshaft 35 mounted rotatably on or near
the rear portion 42 of the support frame 40 essentially perpendicular to
the longitudinal portion of the support frame 40. In addition, the crank
assembly 34 comprises a resistance mechanism (not shown), and a pair of
crank members 36 mounted respectively on two opposite ends of the
crankshaft and at such a location as to provide an elliptical motion when
used in conjunction with the remainder of the device.

[0044]The rigid arm support 60 is located at or near the top of the front
support 43 extending upwardly from the front portion 41 of the support
frame 40. The rigid arm support 60 is secured to opposite sides of the
front support 43. According to another embodiment of the invention, a
second set of rigid arm supports 61 can be provided in conjunction with,
or alternatively to, rigid arm support 60. The second set of rigid arm
supports 61 is mounted on opposite sides of the lower portion of the
front face of console 50. In accordance with another aspect, the exercise
apparatus 10 can comprise zero rigid arm supports.

[0045]In an aspect, the one or more rigid arm supports 60 and 61 comprise
one or more sensors 70 coupled at least to the console 50 and the
software or hardware included therein. In an aspect, the one or more
sensors 70 comprise a heart rate monitor. In an alternative aspect, the
one or more sensors 70 included in the one or more rigid arm supports 60
and 61 can be used in conjunction with, or alternatively to, one or more
sensors coupled to foot pedal units 20 monitoring the rate at which the
user is utilizing the exercise device. In an aspect, the one or more
sensors 70 coupled to either, or both, the foot pedal units 20 or rigid
arm supports 60 and 61 can be coupled to an integral video game system
included within console 50.

[0046]The actuator units, represented generally at 30, comprise a rocking
arm 32, and a longitudinal connecting unit 31 connected pivotally to a
respective one of the crank members 36 and connected pivotally to the
rocking arm 32. The rocking arm 32 is connected pivotally to both the
longitudinal connecting unit 31 and to the front support 43 extending
upwardly from the front portion 41 of the support frame 40. In accordance
with an aspect of the invention, the rocking arm 32 connected pivotally
to the front support 43 extending upwardly from the front portion 41 of
the support frame 40 can alternatively be mounted pivotally to the rigid
arm support 60 located at or near the top of the front support 43
extending upwardly from the front portion 41 of the support frame 40,
wherein the rigid arm support 60 is mounted to front support extending
upwardly from the front portion 41 of the support frame 40.

[0047]The pedal units 20 comprise a frame 21, a pin 22, harness 23 and a
foot pad 24 connected to the longitudinal connecting unit 31. The frame
21, in an aspect, is rectangular in nature and secured at least to two
points of the exterior portion of the longitudinal connecting unit 31,
wherein the median of said two points lies at or near the center of the
length of the longitudinal connecting unit 31. The foot pad 24 and
harness 23 are mounted pivotally within frame 21 and are connected to the
longitudinal connecting unit 31 and frame 21 by pin 22, wherein pin 22 is
positioned at or near the midpoint of the elongated side of foot pad 24.
The pin 22 has two ends opposite one another. One end of pin 22 being
attached at or near the center of the length of the longitudinal
connecting unit 31 and the other end connected at or near the center of
frame 21 on the portion of frame 21 that is parallel to longitudinal
connecting unit 31. In an alternative aspect, the pedal units 20 can be
secured to the interior portion of the longitudinal connecting units 31.

[0048]In an aspect, the foot pad 24 is elongated with padding made from
any material, including, but not limited to, rubber, cloth, or steel. The
foot pad 24 is elongated to support most, if not all, foot lengths and
user weights. Mounting foot pad 24 and harness 23 on a pivot provides a
user with rotational motion allowing the user to engage in an exercise
that provides a full lower body workout without utilizing the upper body.

[0049]The console 50 is mounted at or near the top of the front support 43
extending upwardly from the front portion 41 of the support frame 40.

[0050]Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, an embodiment of the console
in accordance with an aspect of the invention is provided. In accordance
with an aspect, the console 50 comprises one or more rigid arm supports
61, or no rigid arm supports, and an integral video game system
comprising sensors 70, monitor 71, speakers 72, game pad 73, and
removable or non-removable storage media 80. In an aspect, the console 50
additionally comprises video game software or hardware, not shown, which
can be utilized by said removable or non-removable storage media 80.

[0051]The integral video game system comprises video game software or
hardware, not shown, which provides a user with a video game experience
during a workout. The software or hardware is generally known to those
skilled in the art and can be any type of hardware or software which
provides a gaming experience to a user. The integral video game system
comprises various hardware and software devices and applications, and in
an aspect, can comprise said removable or non-removable storage media 80.
The integral video game system comprises utilizing software or hardware
to provide a user interface to a user through at least one or more if
monitor 71, audibly through speakers 72, or through some other human
perceivable medium. In an aspect, the user can interact with said video
game software or hardware through one or more of a game pad 73, voice
technology (not shown), and headphones (not shown). The user interface
provides the user with various choices which provide a unique game
experience. The integral video game system can be built-in console 50, be
located at another location or comprise of both a built-in and exterior
devices. In an aspect, the integral video game system can be located at a
location where it is wirelessly, wired, or connected otherwise to console
50 and exercise apparatus 10.

[0052]In an aspect, the rigid arm supports 60 and 61 not only provide a
user with stability during a workout session, but also provide a user
with an input to the integral video game system via sensors 70. In
addition, sensors placed at other various locations on the exercise
device, such as pedal unit 20, can provide alternative or additional
inputs to the integral video game system. Sensors 70 are coupled to said
integral video game system via wire, wireless, network or other method or
means. The pace of the video game being utilized on the integral video
game system can be changed or controlled based on the input received from
said sensors 70. Therefore, in an aspect, the invention provides for
adapting and customizing an integral video game system, and the game
being played thereon, according to the pace of the workout of the
individual utilizing the exercise apparatus.

[0053]In an aspect, the user can interact with the integral video game
system through game pad 73 which is coupled to said integral video game
system. Game pad 73 can be coupled and used in combination with, or
alternatively to, sensors 70 in providing the integral video game system
with input signals. The game pad 73 comprises at least one or more of one
or more buttons, one or more joysticks, a four-way pad, or other devices
which can provide signals to the integral video game system. Game pad 73
is shown as mounted within, or on, console 50, however, other embodiments
are envisioned, such as coupling game pad 73 to console 50 and the
integral video game system via wire, wireless, infrared, Bluetooth, or
other signal emitting methods. In addition, game pad 73 can be mounted
within, or on, rigid arm support 60 or 61, providing both a convenient
location of the input devices and stability during a workout session.

[0054]In an aspect, a user can initiate the exercise device by engaging
pedal unit 20 in either a forward or reverse motion. In accordance with
another aspect, the exercise device may be initiated via input from
sensor 70 or game pad 73 coupled to console 50.

[0055]It is understood that aspects of the invention can be utilized on
devices other than those described. For instance, providing an integral
video game system in combination with other exercise devices or
apparatuses is envisioned. Furthermore, providing a custom video game
experience via various inputs, such as sensors 70 and game pad 73, is
envisioned as being applicable to numerous exercise devices.

[0056]What has been described above includes examples of aspects of the
claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of
describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the
art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the
invention are possible. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is
intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations
that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes," "has" or "having" or
variations in the form thereof are used in either the detailed
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a
manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted
when employed as a transitional word in a claim.